Bustle



(No Model.)

L. S. BORTREE.

BUSTLE.

No. 369,979. Patented Sept. 13, 1887.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEIVIS SIMON BORTREE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

BUSTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,979, datedSeptember 13. 1887.

Application filed May 5, 1887. Serial No. 237,284. (No model.)

Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjust ableBustles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of referencemarked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an adjustable bustle, and has for its object toprovide for giving greater or less amount of fullness to any portion ofthe same in the direction of its length. I attain these objects by theconstruction shown in the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a bustle, showing the upper portion distended, giving a fullnessto the same, the lower portion being contracted. Fig. 2is a like viewwith the upper portion contracted and the lower portion distended. Fig.3 is a view in perspective, with the covering of the bustle removed.Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the'device without the covering.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the views.

In the construction of my device there are a series of coil-springs, G,employed. Any number may be used. For the purpose of illustration fivesprings are shown. These springs are laid parallel, with three in frontand one on each side thereof and bearing upon the two outer front coils,thus leaving an intermediate space in the center of the inner side ofthe bustle occupied by a single coil. In this central inner space arearranged two or more coil-springs. 1n the present instance two are shown-an upper and lower one-lettered A and B, respectively, and arearranged at right angles to springs 0. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) The springsA and B are of a length, when in a normal condition, to protrude somedistance beyond the outer peripheries of the coils at each side, and areadapted to be contracted to the diameter of the coils O. E E are stringsattached to the bustle and extending parallel with springs A and B, andare threaded through eyelets or loops F, formed at the outer ends of thesprings and adapted to hold the same in their contract-ed condition. Thebustle thus formed is covered with any suitable fabric, preferably bybeing stitched around each longitudinal coil, so as to entirely coverthe same, and provided with a central portion upon its inner sideadapted to distend to the desired fullness. Belt D is then attached andthe device is complete.

In operation,when it is desired to give great fullness to the upperportion of the bustle, spring A is allowed to assume any degree ofexpansion desired, by means of strings E E, spring B being contracted toallow of the de sired effect and securely fastened by tying strings E E,as shown in Fig. 1. Should the greatest degree of fullness be desired atthe lower portion of the bustle, as shown in Fig. 2, the operation justdescribed is reversed.

My device is durable, inexpensive, and so arranged that greatflexibility is attained throughout all its parts.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

1. In a bustle, a series of longitudinal coilsprings, supplementalcoil-springs at right angles thereto, the inner end of each resting uponthe central longitudinal coil, their outer ends being adapted to becontracted or expanded, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A bustle having coil-springs arranged longitudinally thereof,coil-springs arranged centrally and at right angles thereto, and meansfor holding the same to any desired adjustment, as set forth.

8. As an article of manufacture, a bustle comprising a series ofcoil-springs extending in the direction of its length, coil-springs atright angles thereto, with means for holding the same to any desiredexpansion or contraction, the whole covered with any suitable fabric, asand for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own'I hereby affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS SIMON BOR'IREE.

WVitnesses:

WILLIAM WEBSTER, JAMEs E. RAYMER.

